Everything You Need to Know About the Cavachon—And Where to Adopt One
The advent of the designer dog—an intentionally bred dog with mixed-breed parentage—occurred during the late 1980s and early ‘90s in the US, harolding in the age of the Doodle. By the mid ‘90s, other designer breeds began to appear, including the Cavachon. The Cavachon is a mixed-breed dog with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise parentage. Several breeders claim to have produced the first Cavachons, and while it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where these dogs originate, we can confidently say these designer dogs have now enjoyed nearly 30 years of popularity.
The Cavachon is known for its friendly, social, and affectionate demeanor, being easy to train, and its teddy bear-like fuzzy coat. A popular companion dog, families with children, people living in small apartments or homes, and seniors especially love this sweet little dog breed.
Both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Bichon Frises were originally bred as companion animals and are non-sporting dogs. Both breeds are known for their easy going personalities and affectionate temperaments, so it only makes sense that a mix (the Cavachon) would be equally gentle and loving. Cavachons usually come in shades of white with big spots of red, black, brown, or cream from their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parents. T
Adoptable Cavachon in Ohio Searching for a Forever Home
This sweet puppy is a typical Cavachon with white fluffy fur and spots of beautiful red, and he’s available for adoption!
Currently in the care of My Young & Old Fur Baby Rescue in Woodsfield, Ohio, this adorable Cavachon puppy is neutered, microchipped, super friendly, and ready for his forever home! The last remaining puppy from a litter surrendered to the rescue, this little boy is an absolute love-bug and sweet as can be.
Cavachon breeding is entirely unregulated and there are no breed standards (because the Cavachon is a mix and not an official breed) for someone who breeds Cavachons to comply with. This means that Cavachons are largely bred by backyard breeders and puppy mills using unethical methods to produce puppies. Because of this, it’s always best to choose Cavachon adoption over purchasing one from a breeder.
How Big Does a Cavachon Get? Watch this Video
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Cavachon: A Designer Dog
The Cavachon is a mixed-breed dog with one Bichon Frise parent and one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent. It’s important to remember with any dog, but especially designer dogs, that their personalities and looks aren’t always predictable. Designer dogs are mixes, and it is impossible to know exactly which traits a dog will take from each parent breed. Unregulated and unrecognized by any official Kennel Clubs, there are no official standards for this mix, but there are still some physical and personality traits that are common among Cavachons.
Cavachon Personality & Temperament
Prized as a loving family dog, Cavachons are known for being cheerful and friendly—Cavachons love to socialize, play, and spend time with their family members. Lap dogs by nature, Cavachons are cuddly and affectionate, though they can sometimes be wary of strangers.
Because Cavachons are so connected to their humans, they may struggle with separation anxiety and don’t enjoy spending lots of time alone. Thankfully, Cavachons are typically good with other dogs and like to have a buddy to keep them company. Some experts may suggest getting two Cavachons if you work outside of the home or need to be away for hours at a time.
Intelligent and eager to please, Cavachons are typically easy to train, but they can be difficult to potty train thanks to some stubborn and independently-minded tendencies. With regular, routine training sessions and a solid schedule, most Cavachons can be potty trained, but you may want to prepare for the occasional inside accident.
Generally considered good with kids, the Cavachon makes an excellent family dog, but should always be supervised with young children. Thanks to the Cavachon’s small size, young children can easily injure or overwhelm this mixed dog breed, so proper supervision for the safety of both your kids and your dog is important.
Cavachons are usually mid to low energy, and while they still require regular exercise and walks, they are also content to lounge on the couch or relax with their humans. This makes them a great choice for seniors, busy pet owners, and folks who want a dog that just goes with the flow.
Cavachon Size
Small dogs, a Cavachon full grown, weighs around 15–25 pounds and stands around 12–13 inches tall at the shoulder. Full grown Cavachons sometimes weigh more than both of their parent breeds, which may indicate that they have additional breeds in their lineage.
Cavachon Health
Cavachons are prone to several common health conditions, and because of the unregulated breeding of Cavachons, some may suffer from genetic abnormalities. Some health issues to be aware of if you own a Cavachon include:
- Eye and vision problems (e.g. cataracts)
- Ear infections
- Dental disease
- Allergies
- Joint issues (e.g. hip dysplasia, patellar luxation)
- Skin problems (e.g. sebaceous adenoma, atopic dermatitis)
- Heart problems (e.g. mitral valve disease)
- Cushing’s disease
Where To Find Cavachon Puppies from Reputable Breeders
Cavachons are not purebred dogs, and there are no regulations or standards for their breeding. Cavachons are mostly bred by backyard breeders and puppy mills, and it is best to avoid purchasing a Cavachon for this reason.
There are no breed-specific Cavachon dog rescues, but Cavachons aren’t uncommon at shelters, humane societies, and both Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rescues. Because of the popularity of this mix and the circumstances of how they are bred, Cavachons are often available at shelters. Cavachon puppies are also relatively common, since backyard breeders/puppy mills will dump or surrender puppies they can’t sell.
Adopting not only helps to support shelters, it also helps to reduce the support given to puppy mills and directly addresses the issue of overbreeding and shelter overpopulation in the US.
Cavachon Dog Breed FAQ
Want to know more about the Cavachon? Here’s what other people are wondering about this super cute mix. Remember that all dogs are unique, and it’s impossible to predict exactly what any dog’s temperament or behavior will look like in the future. Mixed-breed dogs have even more uncertain adult temperaments, since they may inherit traits from two (or more) breeds. Sometimes this can create unexpected results, but thanks to the Cavachon’s nearly 30 years of popularity, this breed is relatively well known and documented.
Do Cavachons shed?
Yes. Bichon Frise are very light shedders, while Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are moderate to heavy shedders. The combination of these two parent breeds may produce a low to moderate shedding coat, but not a non-shedding coat. Cavachons may inherit their coat texture from their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent, their Bichon Frise parent, or a mix of both.
Are Cavachon dogs hypoallergenic?
No. 100% hypoallergenic dogs do not exist. Even very low-shedding dogs still carry the same amount of allergen as heavy-shedding dogs. No one is allergic to dog fur, which is why being low-shedding doesn’t make a dog more hypoallergenic. Dog allergy sufferers can react to canine dander (dead skin), saliva, and urine, but dog fur doesn’t contain any of the proteins that trigger allergic reactions.
How often do Cavachons need to be groomed?
Cavachons should be brushed at least 2–4 times a week if not daily, and need to be groomed every 4–8 weeks. Cavachons typically have medium coats that can become matted without proper care.
What is the average Cavachon lifespan?
The average life span for a Cavachon is 10–15 years, but with proper care, many live into their late teens.
What breed is a Cavachon dog mixed with?
Cavachon dogs are a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise parentage. Because there are no breeding standards for Cavachons (or other designer dogs), they often have additional breed heritage that isn’t disclosed when they are sold/advertised.
Do Cavachons bark a lot?
No. Cavachons are relatively quiet as compared to other small dogs and rarely bark. Some may vocalize when playing or to alert you to a noise or visitor, but most Cavachons won’t bark just for the sake of barking.
What is the difference between a Cavachon and a Cavapoo?
A Cavachon is a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise while a Cavapoo is a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle.
How much do Cavachon puppies cost?
On average, backyard breeders and puppy mills charge $600–$2,000 for Cavachon puppies, but it’s not advised to purchase a mixed breed dog. Instead, choose to adopt! Adoptable Cavachons typically cost $300–$600, and that money supports the shelter/rescue, not the unethical breeders.
